Religious tensions have been growing in many parts of the world, and some church leaders are looking for ways to respond. One priest believes that people from different faith traditions may be able to work together against what he describes as a rising threat connected to satanism and modern technology.
Father Luis Ramirez Almanza, a Mexican priest, has invited rabbis, imams, and evangelical pastors to take part in a special training program focused on exorcism and spiritual protection. According to reports, the course will also examine concerns about how artificial intelligence might be used in connection with satanism or other occult practices.
Speaking at a press conference, Father Almanza explained that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be used for positive purposes but also for harmful ones. Because of this, he warned that the technology could potentially be used to promote activities related to satanism, including online content, rituals, or communities centered around devil worship.
The training program, called the “Course on the Ministry of Exorcism and Prayer of Deliverance,” is held at the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, a university affiliated with the Vatican. Each year, the course attracts more than 170 participants who want to learn about the Catholic Church’s teachings on exorcism and spiritual deliverance.
Participants in the course do not receive permission to perform official exorcisms. Under Catholic Canon Law, only a diocesan bishop can grant that authority. However, the university says the program helps students better understand the history, theology, and pastoral practices connected to exorcism and deliverance prayer.
This year’s program places special focus on how artificial intelligence might intersect with occult practices. Father Fortunato Di Noto, a Sicilian priest who works to combat child exploitation, is scheduled to speak at one of the sessions. He believes some groups connected to satanism may already be experimenting with AI technology.
According to Di Noto, there are concerns that AI tools could be used to generate disturbing images connected to satanic rituals. He argues that such imagery can be part of a broader pattern in which extremists attempt to gain power or control through shocking or harmful symbolism.
Researchers who monitor cult activity say technology is increasingly being used by fringe groups. David Murgia, who runs Catholic Risk and Insurance Services, says investigators have heard reports that some groups linked to satanism may be using artificial intelligence to hide online content and communicate more secretly.
Another speaker at the course plans to discuss how modern occultists might use generative AI to create new ritual symbols or visual designs. These digital tools could allow practitioners of satanism or other occult traditions to generate imagery quickly and share it widely online.
The Vatican has also expressed broader concerns about artificial intelligence. Church officials warn that rapidly developing technology could lead to serious risks if it is not carefully managed.
At a recent Vatican seminar on artificial intelligence, Bishop Paul Tighe from the Dicastery for Culture and Education said the technology could potentially contribute to threats such as disinformation, propaganda, or even advanced weapons systems if misused.
Church leaders also warn that AI could change society in ways that affect privacy, human dignity, and employment. These concerns go beyond religious issues and reflect wider debates about the future of technology.
At the same time, artificial intelligence has already started appearing in some religious settings. In Switzerland, a church recently introduced an experimental installation featuring an AI-powered hologram of Jesus that can listen to confessions and provide responses to visitors.
The system, known as “Deus in Machina,” sits inside a confessional booth at St. Peter’s Church. A screen shows a digital image of Jesus that analyzes what visitors say and produces spoken responses.
For some church leaders, developments like this show how deeply technology is entering spiritual life. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, they believe discussions about faith, ethics, and issues such as satanism may increasingly take place in the digital world as well.